What shutter speed should I use to photograph a boxing match in low light?
Asked 4/1/2011
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2 answers
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I’m photographing a boxing match in likely low-light conditions with a Canon EOS 500D and a Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. I’m thinking of using shutter priority and letting the camera choose aperture and ISO. Since the main issue is subject motion rather than camera shake, what shutter speeds are realistic for boxing? I’d like to know what speeds will freeze action, what speeds will show some motion blur, and whether a tripod would help.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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Any speed will give you something. It will render the photo differently.
So, the question should not be how slow can I take the photo? but how slow do I want to take the photo?
Some ideas:
- If you want to freeze the sweat flying off the boxer's face when he takes a hit, I suggest 1/2000s or faster.
- If you want to freeze the boxer's body and leave the hands blurry (to convey the action), then try around 1/500s.
- If you go slower then 1/250 you will probably blur the entire boxer, at least by a bit.
- You should be able to go down to 1/focal-length (or 2 stops lower with stabilization) to get convey the action while keeping the ring and background sharp.
You'll have to try a lot but you are right about using Shutter-speed priority. You may want to fix the ISO and let camera play the aperture if you do not want all your shots to be at F/4, since most cameras prefer opening the lens than raising the ISO when light is low.
Originally by user1620. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1620
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For boxing, the limit is usually subject motion, not camera shake. A tripod won’t help freeze punches, and it may just slow you down.
As a rough guide:
- 1/2000s or faster: freezes very fast action, like sweat flying off a punch.
- Around 1/500s: a good starting point if you want the boxer mostly sharp with some blur in the hands/gloves to show motion.
- 1/250s and slower: expect noticeable blur across much of the boxer.
- 1/60–1/100s: camera shake may still be manageable handheld, but the fighters will blur strongly unless you use that creatively.
So the real question is not “how slow can I go?” but “how much motion blur do I want?” If you want crisp action, aim as fast as the light allows. If you want a more dynamic look, try slower speeds and use the blur intentionally.
Shutter priority is reasonable here, but be prepared to experiment a lot. Image stabilization helps with your hand movement, not with freezing the boxers.
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